Groundbreaking Report Exposes Anti-Muslim Hate Online

(Oakland, CA — May 6, 2014) In a groundbreaking report, “Click Here to End Hate: Anti-Muslim Bigotry Online & How to Take Action,” Muslim Advocates exposes the breadth of anti-Muslim bigotry online, explains the law and corporate policies that regulate content on the Internet, and empowers individuals with the tools necessary to effectively respond to hate online.

“Online bigotry towards American Muslims continues to be a serious issue, particularly in the last few years where we’ve seen hate groups, anti-Muslim proponents, and public officials use various social media platforms to spread hate,” said Madihha Ahussain, Muslim Advocates staff attorney and lead author of the report. “Their voices are amplified on the Internet and help create a space for the American public to echo these sentiments of hate and engage in acts of violence against an entire group or community. People often think that there is nothing they can do to respond, but the reality is that their voices can be a powerful antidote to hate speech.”

Many use the Internet to organize online and rapidly gather supporters for their agendas. For example, Pamela Gellar, a well-known anti-Muslim proponent and blogger had about 19 thousand followers on Facebook in June 2013. Today, less than a year later, she has over 78 thousand. Click Here to End Hate not only gives examples of offensive online content, but also sheds light on the legal considerations surrounding hate speech and what social media companies are doing about it. The report also serves as a guide for individuals who want to push back with reporting mechanisms built into social media platforms and by engaging in counterspeech.

Muslim Advocates has a dedicated program to counter anti-Muslim hate, and works with a broad coalition of faith, civic, and civil rights organizations to challenge bigotry against religious minorities. Through this work, Muslim Advocates monitors hate crimes targeting American Muslims, bigotry by public officials, anti-Sharia legislation bills that have been proposed or passed in various states, and opposition to mosque construction projects affecting communities throughout the country.

Muslim Advocates is a national legal advocacy and educational organization working on the frontlines of civil rights to guarantee freedom and justice for Americans of all faiths. Through high-impact lawsuits, policy advocacy, and community education, Muslim Advocates serves as a resource to empower communities and ensures that the American Muslim community is heard by the courts and leaders at the highest level of government. Visit Muslim Advocates atwww.muslimadvocates.organd follow @muslimadvocates.